
Who should use the TS-03 or the TS-04?
It is recommended that taller athletes (over 5’10”) use, train and test on the TS-04 and athletes
not as tall (5’10” and under) use the TS-03. This is a only a general guideline. Less experienced
athletes may prefer to use the TS-03. Many athletes prefer to learn on the TS-03 and then later
transition to the TS-04.
The TS-03 has a lighter unloaded weight than the TS-04, but is also not as long. So even if the
TS-03 is loaded to the same total weight of the TS-04, as previously disclosed, the lifter does less
work during each flip. How much less? The TS-03 is about 92% the length of the TS-04, so when
making the transition from the TS-03 to the TS-04, reduce the total weight as per the formula
below:
W
4
= 0.92*
W
3
where the total weight of the loaded TS-04 (
W
4
) is 92% of the total loaded weight of the TS-03
(
W
3
). If an athlete is lifting 600 lbs. on the TS-03 and wants to use a similar weight on the TS-04,
the TS-04 weight would be 550 lbs. (600 * .92 = 550).
Loading % of 1RM
Traditional estimation of reps based on a % of 1RM may offer a guideline, but there are differenc
-
es with the FLIPPER compared to traditional weight training movements. With a squat or bench
press, the active muscles are under load continually, before during and after each repetition. The
muscles are never unloaded during the set. With the FLIPPER, or any tire flipping exercise, once
the push phase is completed, the lifter is only supporting their own bodyweight and reposition
-
ing for the next rep. This allows a greater rest between repetitions to allow the lifter to recover.
Therefore, at lower values (less than 80% of 1RM), the repetitions your athletes will be able to
perform will be above the values in the % of 1RM charts.
This changes at higher levels of 1RM, depending on the rest period allowed to the lifter. The
amount of energy required by a lifter at over 90% of 1RM is substantial. This means the lifter may
be limited by their cardiovascular limits as opposed to muscular endurance limits as demand for
oxygen may be a limiting factor. For high intensity lifts (over 90% of 1RM) the first two may be a
challenge for the lifter, but after four reps with minimal rest, they may be recovering in the supine
position for a several minutes. Having said this, a lifter should be able to lift 4-6 reps at 90% of
1RM, but the rest time for the last couple of reps may be 10 seconds or more between reps.
Due to the high level of work done, when training at high intensities on the FLIPPER, it is recom
-
mended that the FLIPPER training frequency be no more than once a week. When training at
lower intensities, more frequent training sessions may be used.
Using the Flipper - Size Matters
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